Professor Andrew Scott
BSc Geology, 1973 Bedford College
Professor Andrew Scott has been conducting research in Coal Geology for nearly forty years, notably as Professor of Applied Palaeobotany at Royal Holloway, his base for almost thirty years. "I think it must be in my blood," he says, "as many past generations of my family worked in the coal mines of Scotland." He has made many important contributions to the understanding of ancient ecosystems, including the formation of fossil fuels and the role of fire in the fossil record. His research on fossil plants has improved our understanding of the evolution of coal-forming vegetation through time and by using fossil charcoal he has been able to track ancient fires all over the world. "Much of my research over the past few years has concerned the past, present and future of wildfires and their environmental effects."
Posted on Friday 27th July 2012